Hydro Tasmania and contractors Hazell Bros. Group won a Civil Contractors Federation Earth Award for a project costing between $5M and $20M. The award recognised the project’s innovative and cost-effective solutions implemented in a sustainable way.
Hydro Tasmania Specialist Project Manager David Brown said the project was unique because it blended modern and old style construction techniques and incorporated elements of the original works dating from 1914. The completed works allow the heritage-listed Lake Margaret Power Station to continue generating renewable energy into the future.
“The deterioration of the original woodstave pipeline over time had cause substantial leaking, which was the main driver for this project,” he said. “We worked with Hazell Brothers to design and construct the 2.2km replacement woodstave pipeline to secure the long-term operation of the power station. The power station uses refurbished 95-year-old equipment to generate an annual energy output of 50GWh.
“The design and construction met the right criteria which ultimately saw it take home the Earth Award,” he added
The total project cost was $14.7M. The construction of the pipeline was completed in August 2009 and the power station recommenced operations in October 2009.
